Welcome to The Daily Crypto Briefing, here are today's headlines! In today's cryptocurrency landscape, significant shifts are occurring in both Bitcoin mining energy practices and stablecoin operations. The crypto world continues to evolve with sustainability becoming increasingly important, while major players expand their business models beyond their core offerings. Let's dive into today's top stories: Bitcoin mining's dramatic shift toward greener energy sources, the environmental implications of this transition, what this means for Bitcoin's future energy footprint, and Tether's ambitious expansion into new territories including AI and Bitcoin mining operations. First, let's examine the surprising environmental transformation happening in Bitcoin mining. According to a groundbreaking report from MiCA Crypto Alliance and Nodiens, Bitcoin mining has dramatically decreased its dependence on coal energy. The report shows coal usage in Bitcoin mining operations has fallen by a substantial 43% since 2011, dropping from 63% to just 20% of total energy consumption. This shift represents one of the most significant energy transitions in any modern industry. What makes this transformation even more remarkable is that it's happening while global coal consumption is actually increasing, with worldwide usage reaching a record 8.8 billion tons in 2024. Against this backdrop, Bitcoin mining operations have managed to increase their renewable energy adoption by nearly 6% annually. This suggests the industry is actively working to address one of the most persistent criticisms it has faced over the years. Looking ahead, the report presents five possible scenarios for Bitcoin's future energy usage, based on different price projections ranging from $10,000 to an ambitious $1 million per Bitcoin by 2030. In a middle-ground scenario, renewable energy could potentially supply up to 74% of Bitcoin mining's power requirements, even without counting nuclear energy sources. This would position Bitcoin mining as one of the most renewable-powered industries globally. Turning to our second major story, stablecoin giant Tether is making waves with its strategic expansion beyond its core business. The company, best known for issuing the USDT stablecoin, has begun diversifying into several new business areas including Bitcoin mining, energy production, and artificial intelligence development. This expansion comes alongside Tether's pursuit of a full audit, which would address one of the long-standing concerns in the cryptocurrency community about the company's reserves and operations. The move into AI is particularly noteworthy as it represents a convergence of two cutting-edge technologies that could potentially create new synergies in the digital asset space. Tether's financial performance has been impressive, with the company reporting $13 billion in net profits last year. These earnings came primarily from interest on U.S. Treasury holdings and unrealized gains on Bitcoin and gold investments. This diversification strategy appears to be paying off handsomely for the stablecoin issuer, potentially setting a precedent for other cryptocurrency companies looking to expand their business models. As we wrap up today's briefing, these developments highlight the continuing maturation of the cryptocurrency industry. Bitcoin mining's shift toward renewable energy sources addresses key environmental concerns, potentially improving its public perception and regulatory standing. Meanwhile, Tether's expansion demonstrates how established crypto companies are evolving beyond their initial use cases to become more diverse financial entities. Both trends signal a cryptocurrency ecosystem that is becoming more sophisticated, sustainable, and integrated with traditional finance and technology sectors. Thank you for tuning in to The Daily Crypto Briefing. We'll be back tomorrow with more updates from the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency and blockchain techno